The Splatoon universe is splashing into new territory with Splatoon Raiders, the first-ever spinoff in the beloved ink‑shooting franchise, announced by Nintendo through its Nintendo Today app on June 10, 2025. This exciting new chapter launches exclusively on the freshly released Nintendo Switch 2, placing players in the role of a mechanic exploring the mysterious Spirhalite Islands alongside the fan‑favorite Deep Cut trio. With this reveal, Splatoon Raiders becomes the franchise’s first venture beyond its core multiplayer focus, promising a bold, adventure‑style twist—and we have all the latest verified details here.
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What Splatoon Raiders Is All About
Splatoon Raiders breaks from tradition by focusing on single‑player exploration and narrative. Players take on the role of a resourceful mechanic who crash‑lands on the remote Spirhalite Islands with Frye, Shiver, and Big Man—the Splatoon 3 radio personalities known collectively as Deep Cut. The teaser trailer hints at survival‑style gameplay—crash recovery, resource gathering, hinting base‑building, and teamwork in this tropical, ink‑filled setting. While Nintendo hasn’t unveiled a release date, Splatoon Raiders is firmly in development and will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
How Splatoon Raiders Expands the Splatoon Universe
This is a major shift. Splatoon has always been rooted in competitive ink battles and chaotic multiplayer. With Splatoon Raiders, Nintendo brings narrative depth and exploration to the forefront. The Spirhalite Islands—full of secrets, environmental puzzles, and mysteries—could redefine what players expect from the franchise. It’s an opportunity to dive deeper into lore, meet new Inkling allies, and engage with survival mechanics never before explored in Splatoon.
What the Trailer Reveals
Though brief, the trailer for Splatoon Raiders offers plenty to speculate on:
- Survival Elements: The crash‑landing implies players must reacquire tools, ink supplies, and shelter.
- Character Roles: Frye and Shiver are shown fishing; Big Man is covered in ink—suggesting each Deep Cut member has unique skills.
- Mechanical Companion: The mechanic’s sidekick hints at puzzle‑solving or gear‑repair gameplay.
- Atmosphere: The lush, tropical environment suggests dynamic island exploration with hidden hubs and biomes.
Yet Nintendo has kept release windows and deep gameplay details under wraps—building anticipation for future updates.
Splatoon Raiders and Splatoon 3’s Simultaneous Boost
Nintendo didn’t stop with Splatoon Raiders. It announced a substantial free update to Splatoon 3 (version 10.0.0), dropping June 12, 2025. Highlights include:
- 30 new weapon kits under the new Splatlands collection featuring Barazushi and Emberz brands.
- Return of Urchin Underpass, the fan‑favorite stage from the original Wii U game.
- Fresh visuals and smoother frame rates on Nintendo Switch 2 hubs like Splatsville.
- Cross‑play remains fully supported between Switch 1 and Switch 2.
- Additional QoL enhancements: raised Freshness caps, in‑game badges, and a Series Weapon Power stat for each weapon to support balanced matchmaking.
For players upgrading to Switch 2, the update ensures Splatoon 3 plays better than ever, while new boss mechanics and badges add fresh goals.
Why This Matters to Splatoon Fans
Splatoon Raiders is more than just another title—it marks an evolution. For three main reasons:
- First-ever spinoff: Nintendo is trusting the Splatoon IP to lead a single‑player adventure.
- Next‑gen exclusive: Development is exclusive to Switch 2, indicating Nintendo’s confidence in its new hardware.
- Parallel support: Continued updates for Splatoon 3 ensure core fans enjoy improvements while exploring new experiences.
Also, version 10.0.0’s enhancements show Nintendo cares about longevity—writer badge systems, new weapons, and cross-play improvements give both casual and hardcore players reasons to stay involved.
What’s Next for Splatoon Raiders
Although Nintendo hasn’t shared a release date, insiders expect more news later this year—perhaps in a Nintendo Direct focused on Switch 2. Rumor mills suggest:
- Q1 or Q2 2026 for gameplay showcases.
- A 2026 launch window, allowing ample time for development and polishing.
- Tie‑ins with Splatoon 3 updates, possibly linking Raider achievements to cosmetic bonuses in battle modes.
The momentum from Splatoon 3’s strong community still keeps the franchise relevant—and Splatoon Raiders is the perfect vehicle to further that hype.
Keep Your Eyes on Splatoon Raiders
Here’s what to watch for next:
- Gameplay trailer revealing island activities and mission structure.
- Release window announcement—will it be late 2025 or early 2026?
- Tie-in beta tests (very possible for Switch 2 owners).
- Soundtrack news, potentially composed by familiar Splatoon musicians, hinting at the tone of the adventure.
Final Thoughts
Splatoon Raiders is Nintendo’s first bold experiment with the franchise. With a fresh genre direction—single‑player survival—the game brings stormy ink flair to a cinematic adventure setting. Paired with Splatoon 3’s robust update, this is the best moment to jump into the Splatoon world. Whether you’re curious about lore, mechanics, or vibrant environments, Splatoon Raiders looks to deliver a deep and engaging journey.
Excited to command Deep Cut across Spirhalite? Ready to sink your teeth into fresh Splatoon content? Sign up for updates on Nintendo’s channels and let’s keep our markers primed for the splashy future ahead.
Jump into Spirhalite with Splatoon Raiders—stay tuned, stay splatting.